The Unicorn Roast podcast features sparkling conversation between journalists Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini about technology, culture and our fast-changing world...
Your favorite podcast hosts explore OpenAI's $20,000 PhD-level AIs, Russia's "LLM grooming" disinformation network, the doomed Microsoft Office products, and why it's weird to buy a house nowadays. And more!Links:1. Where's a Red Scare When You Need One?2. A Well-Funded, Moscow-Based Global Disinformation Campaign3. Is OpenAI's Rumored $20,000 AI Agent Good Enough to Take Your Job?4. Drones Are Already Transforming Business5. Microsoft Publisher Dead After 34 Years: How to Save Your WorkChapters00:00 The Rise of AI in Job Automation15:12 Russian Disinformation and AI21:30 The Challenges of Trusting AI26:01 Navigating the Future of AI and Information26:08 Revisiting Reagan: A Lesson in Free Trade28:35 The Evolution of Search: AI and Chatbots30:26 The Future of Information Retrieval34:40 The Role of Sources in AI Responses39:26 The Challenge of Information Quality46:37 Microsoft's Struggles: A Shift in Relevance50:55 The Modern Home Buying Experience#OpenAI #Microsoft #RussianDisinformation #RealEstate #LLMGrooming #PerplexityAI #RAG This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unicornroast.com
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55:40
Vaping Tamagotchis
Join Mike and Emily on another exciting episode of Unicorn Roast! They explain why robots are wearing glasses (smart glasses for fast training, not for eyesight). They answer the question: Are Apple's $199 AirPods good for using as hearing aids? Plus, they explore the brand-new products and features designed to make AI chatbots like Tolan, Sesame, Perplexity Voice, Grok 3, and Amazon Alexa+ more “human.” Your favorite podcasters expose OpenAI's recent release of the not-ready-for-prime-time GPT-4.5. And more!Links• "There's a Vape With a Tamagotchi Inside It That Dies If You Stop Puffing" - Link• "Why Fast-Learning Robots Are Wearing Meta Glasses" - Link• "3 Fixes That Could Make Apple AirPods Pro a True Hearing Aid Replacement" - Link• "Tolan: Alien Best Friend" - Link• "Sesame: Making Voice Companions Useful for Daily Life" - Link• "Perplexity - Ask Anything" - Link• "Perplexity - Ask Anything on Google Play" - Link• "OpenAI Launches GPT-4.5 But Limits It to Priciest Tiers After Running Out" - LinkChapters00:00 The Rise of Robot Training04:47 Healthcare Robots and AI Training08:37 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles11:32 Integrating Robots into Daily Life16:07 Apple's AirPods as Hearing Aids22:42 The Evolution of Hearing Technology27:13 The Future of Hearing Aids and AI Technology28:25 The Rise of Human-like Chatbots31:33 Innovative AI Companions and Their Impact35:39 The Evolution of Voice Assistants39:45 Amazon's New Alexa and Its Features44:40 OpenAI's GPT 4.5 Launch and Its Implications52:01 Controversies Surrounding AI Leadership#RobotTraining #Robotics #Manufacturing #Factories #AI #HumanOperator #VRGoggles #Tesla #Meta #ARIA #SmartGlasses #GeorgiaTech #LLMs #MultimodalAI #AutonomousCars #Honda #DataSimulation #TrafficJams #SiliconValley #Computer #Milliseconds #SelfDrivingCars #RobotOverlords #Amazon #AgenticAI #DeliveryRobots #WaymoCars #AmazonWarehouses #AppleAirPods #HearingAids #iPhone #Hearables #Tolan #Sesame #Tamagotchi #Vape #ElonMusk #Grok #VladimirPutin #TheBar #AmazonAlexa #EchoShow #SamAltman #Twitter #AGI #DeepSeek #WolframAlpha #StephenWolfram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unicornroast.com
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55:42
Self-Crashing Teslas
Mike and Emily tackle the latest Tesla self-driving mishap – a Cybertruck versus a pole. Is it the driver's fault, a software failure, or false advertising by Elon Musk? They debate the safety of self-driving cars compared to human drivers and what it all means for the future of transportation. Then, they take a look at Apple's claim that their robot lamp feels emotions, and talk about how this kind of false claim is actually common in the industry. Finally, they unpack the shocking story of Kanye West's Super Bowl ad selling a swastika t-shirt. This leads to a conversation about AI-generated celebrity condemnations and Scarlett Johansson's fight against the misuse of her likeness.• Tesla Cybertruck Crashes Into Pole While Running Latest Version of FSD - PCMag• Apple Is Lying: Robots Don’t Feel Emotions - Machine Society• Apple's Emotional Lamp and the Future of Robots - Computerworld• ScarJo Condemns Deepfake of Her Protesting Kanye Ad as Misuse of AI - PCMag• Why AI Usage May Degrade Human Cognition and Blunt Critical Thinking Skills - HackadayChapters00:00 Intro03:58 Tesla's Self-Driving Controversy11:53 Safety and Ethical Implications of Self-Driving Cars12:56 The Challenges of Self-Driving Technology18:44 The Emotional Intelligence of Robots26:51 The Ethics of AI and Human Interaction32:50 The Future of AI in Customer Service38:55 Kanye's Controversial Merchandise Launch40:56 Failures in Advertising and Technology42:31 Celebrity Reactions and AI Misuse44:47 Scarlett Johansson's Voice and AI Ethics47:48 The Impact of AI on Human Intelligence52:51 The Evolution of Skills in the Digital Age56:20 Outro#Tesla #Cybertruck #SelfDriving #ElonMusk #CarSafety #Waymo #CultOfElonMusk #ElectricFences #Apple #ELEGNT #Robots #Humanoid #RobotBodyLanguage #RobotEmotions #SonyAIBO #SoftBankPepper #HansonRoboticsSophia #MITKismet #IBMWatson #Pixar #VoiceSelection #CustomerService #AICommunication #ScarlettJohansson #KanyeWest #SuperBowl #Swastika #Advertising #Deepfakes #OpenAI #SamAltman #VoiceCloning #AIGeneratedVideo #SocialMedia #AI This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unicornroast.com
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56:24
The Pro-Lifelog Position
Hosts Emily Forlini and Mike Elgan tackle the ethics of recording conversations with AI devices without permission, the implications of DEI policies in tech companies, and the impact of political agendas on electric vehicle infrastructure. They also touch on Elon Musk's influence and actions, government overreach, and the importance of maintaining perspective in a stressful media landscape.SUBSCRIBE to Unicorn Roast on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Republic, Podcast Addict or wherever you get your podcasts!Linkshttps://www.computerworld.com/article/3815564/why-i-want-glasses-that-are-always-listening.htmlhttps://www.pcmag.com/news/google-ends-diversity-equity-inclusion-dei-hiring-goalshttps://legiscan.com/CA/text/SB243/2025https://www.pcmag.com/news/dot-orders-states-to-halt-work-on-5-billion-ev-charging-networkChapters00:00 Introduction05:25 The Role of AI in Memory Enhancement10:59 The Power Dynamics in Journalism and Recording16:15 Amazon's Financial Success and AI Investments21:41 The Cultural Shift in Tech Hiring Practices27:02 The Role of Corporations in Solving Societal Issues36:48 The Ethics of AI Interaction42:50 Political Maneuvering and EV Infrastructure47:16 The Role of Business Leaders in Governance51:49 Reflections on Society and Personal Wellbeing01:02:22 Exploring the Unusual: A Conversation on Unique Experiences01:02:56 The Importance of Kindness and Community This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unicornroast.com
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56:32
A Deep Dive on DeepSeek
Mike and Emily go deep on DeepSeek, and compare it with ChatGPT, explore the emergence of political bias in AI chatbots, and talk about a future where ideological biases shape everyone’s view of the world. They also have a smart conversation about smart glasses, and slam Meta’s narrow focus on VR and AI-generated artificial people. Plus, they give an update and exploration on the latest developments in electric vehicles, based on Emily’s interview with the CEO of Lucid Motors.Linkshttps://machinesociety.ai/publish/post/153836590https://www.pcmag.com/news/deepseek-vs-chatgpt-5-questions-that-put-these-ai-chatbots-to-the-test https://www.pcmag.com/news/chinas-deepseek-toes-the-party-line-on-questions-about-uyghurs-taiwan-more https://www.pcmag.com/news/deepseek-is-here-to-stay-as-microsoft-perplexity-integrate-its-model https://www.pcmag.com/news/lucid-ceo-this-is-how-elon-musk-picked-teslas-strange-charge-port-placement https://www.pcmag.com/news/ford-opens-2025-mustang-mach-e-orders-with-reduced-price-added-heat-pump https://hallidayglobal.com/ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/technology/softbank-openai-ai-investment.htmlTakeaways • DeepSeek has gained significant attention for its capabilities and cost-effectiveness. • There are concerns about censorship and political bias in AI tools like DeepSeek. • The rise of smart glasses could change how we interact with AI. • Elon Musk's decisions have impacted Tesla's design and user experience. • The future of electric vehicles is tied to government regulations and incentives. • SoftBank's investment in OpenAI raises questions about the future of AI funding. • The commodification of AI data is a growing concern in the tech industry. • Political bias in chatbots could lead to a fragmented information landscape. • The conversation around AI is becoming increasingly polarized. • The integration of AI into everyday tools like smart glasses is inevitable.Chapters00:00 Introduction to DeepSeek and Its Impact02:53 DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: A Comparative Analysis05:48 Censorship and Political Bias in AI08:30 The Future of Chatbots and Ideological Bias11:16 Smart Glasses and Proactive AI Innovations13:18 The Role of AI in Everyday Life16:21 The Metaverse and AI Integration19:04 Conversational AI: The Next Frontier22:11 Conclusion and Future Predictions32:02 The Chatty AI Experience34:48 AI in Everyday Life39:47 The Future of Electric Vehicles41:14 Interview Insights with Lucid's CEO48:03 Political Landscape for EVs53:51 Investment Trends in AI57:22 unicorn_roast_title.mp4Subscribe to Unicorn Roast on…AppleSpotifyYouTubeOr search your podcast app for “Unicorn Roast”! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unicornroast.com
The Unicorn Roast podcast features sparkling conversation between journalists Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini about technology, culture and our fast-changing world. SUBSCRIBE to Unicorn Roast on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Republic, Podcast Addict or wherever you get your podcasts! www.unicornroast.com
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